Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA217131’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHA217131’, particularly characterized by having dark reddish-purple flowers with small light reddish-purple centers and dark red lips, flowers that are concave in lateral view, apical lobes of the lip with a small bump and ridge, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA217131’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHA217131’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with attractive, dark reddish-purple flowers with small light reddish-purple centers and dark red lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA217131’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in January 2013 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘17956-06’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3389’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in November 2015. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2017 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Jan. 29, 2021 (Application no. 2021/0306), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHA217131’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHA217131’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHA217131’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Dark reddish-purple flowers with small light reddish-purple         centers and dark red lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and     -   3) Apical lobe of the lip has a small bump and ridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in November 2021. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHA217131’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA217131’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA217131’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHA217131’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in November 2021 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHA217131’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘17956-06’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3389’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B             and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots             having light yellow-green (RHS 145B) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in             vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After             transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished             after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 30.0 cm to 35.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 26.0 cm to 28.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 8 to 9 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 13.0 cm             to 15.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Slightly elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the             horizontal position): Between 20 degrees and 40 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower             surface: RHS 146B with a touch of brown (RHS 200B) at the             margin. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.             Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation:             Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS             147A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—26 to 30.         -   Length.—30.0 cm to 35.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Yellow-green (RHS 146B) with a touch of brown (RHS             200B).         -   Internode length.—1.5 cm to 2.5 cm -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower..         -   Number of inflorescences.—2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 210.0 mm to             230.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 35.0 mm to 40.0 mm. Diameter: 40.0 mm to             45.0 mm. Depth of lip: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm.         -   Flower shape.—Concave.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 8 to 10 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 14.0 mm to             16.0 mm. Width: 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146D) at the base and lighter             yellow-green (RHS 145C) toward the tip with red-purple shade             and stripes (a color in between RHS N77B and RHS N79D).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Moderately undulated. Length             (from base to tip): 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Width: 22.0 mm to             24.0 mm.. Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward             the base Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: Dark reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N79C and             RHS N78A). Over color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at             the base. Lower surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS             N78A). Over color: Light purple (RHS 76A) at the middle from             the center toward tip. Number of spots and stripes on the             petals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on             the petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of             netting of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 19.0 mm to             21.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Dark reddish-purple (a             color in between RHS N79C and RHS N78A). Over color:             Purplish-pink at the base and dots (RHS N78C). Lower             surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS N79D). Over color:             Light yellow-green (RHS 195B) and touch of light             reddish-purple (RHS N78D). Number of spots, dots, and             stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Few small             dots. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the dorsal sepals             (upper surface): RHS N78C. Density of netting of the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): Not applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 18.0 mm to             20.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Dark             reddish-purple (RHS N79C). Over color: Touch of light yellow             (RHS 145D) with dark purplish-red dots (RHS N79C) at the             base; dark red shade (RHS 187B). Lower surface: Basic color:             Reddish-purple (RHS N79D). Over color: Light yellow-green             (RHS 145C). Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the             lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium of very small dots.             Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals             (upper surface): RHS N79C. Density of netting of the lateral             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present, but very short. Length of             whiskers: 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm.. Color of whiskers: Dark             red-purple (a color in between RHS 187B and RHS N79B)             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly             spatulate. Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 12.0 mm             to 14.0 mm. Width: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Touch of yellow (RHS 13B) at the base; dotted (RHS 183A);             dark red (a color in between RHS 187A and RHS 187B) toward             the tip. Lower surface: Very light purple (RHS 76D) at the             base; reddish-purple (RHS N78A) and dark red-purple (a color             in between RHS 187B and RHS N79B) toward margins. Number of             spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few dots at             the base. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral             lobe: RHS 183A. Density of netting of the lateral lobe:             None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Elliptic. Margin: Entire. Length: 14.0             mm to 16.0 mm. Width: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Touch of yellow (RHS 11C) at the base; dark red             (RHS 187B) with a touch of RHS N79B toward whiskers. Lower             surface: Dark red wings (RHS 187B); dark purplish-red (RHS             N79C) toward the middle and light yellow-green (RHS 157B) at             the middle from the base toward the tip. Number of spots and             stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes             on the apical lobe: None. Density of netting of the apical             lobe: None. Color of the netting: None. Bump and ridge:             Present (small).         -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 4.0 mm to 5 0 mm.             Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:             Yellow tips (RHS 13A); dotted (RHS 59B); light yellow (RHS             11C) on sides. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to             4.0 mm. Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78A).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.7 mm to 0.8 mm. Color:             Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 1.8 mm to 2.0 mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Diameter: 2.1 mm to             2.3 mm. Color: Yellow-green (a color in between RHS 144B and             RHS 144C) at the base; light yellow-green (RHS 145C) and             light purple (RHS 76A) toward the flower. Texture: Smooth. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA217131’ differs from the female parent plant ‘17956-06’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHA217131’ has elliptic apical lobes and leaves with no anthocyanin coloration on the upper surface, whereas ‘17956-06’ has rhombic apical lobes and leaves with very weak to weak anthocyanin coloration on the upper surface. Additionally, ‘PHA217131’ has smaller flowers than ‘17956-06’.

‘PHA217131’ differs from the male parent plant ‘01-3389’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHA217131’ has pedicels with a main color of yellow-green and elliptic apical lobes, whereas ‘01-3389’ has pedicels with a main color of light reddish-purple and ovate apical lobes.

‘PHA217131’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALFEMYM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,783) and ‘PHALBIRWIN’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,727). ‘PHA217131’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFEMYM’ in that ‘PHA217131’ has elliptic apical lobes, dark red-purple whiskers, and leaves with a semi-erect attitude, whereas ‘PHALFEMYM’ has ovate apical lobes, red-purple whiskers, and leaves with a horizontal to semi-drooping attitude.

‘PHA217131’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALBIRWIN’ in that ‘PHA217131’ has elliptic apical lobes, dark red-purple whiskers, and flowers that are concave in lateral view, whereas ‘PHALBIRWIN’ has circular apical lobes, dark purplish-red whiskers with small white tips, and flowers that are flat in lateral view. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA217131’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 